Post by: pudding on September 08, 2017, 07:33:27 pm
Ohlins? Never heard of them. Who are they?
Ohlins are a Swedish shock absorber manufacturer and are more well known in the motorbike and motorsport world. They've only recently ventured into the road car market. https://www.ohlins.com/products/automotive
Synonymous with quality and unrivalled damping performance, they have earned a reputation of being up there with the best for dampers. A couple of videos to have a snout at if you're bored:-
Yawn, more coilovers, there's billions already. What makes these so special?
5 reasons that I can think of.
1) The DFV (Dual Flow Valve). It's basically a blow off valve for high speed damper movements (fast damper piston movements, not high road speeds). When you hit a sharp bump, some regular dampers can become momentarily solid because the valving is too restrictive in that condition, which transmits a loud thunk into the cabin along with an unpleasant feel to the car, jolting it off course in extreme cases. The DFV relieves that pressure so that the spring can compress and also return to it's natural state a lot faster, meaning the tyre hits the ground faster and the shock is less severe. Win win. These diagrams probably explain it better.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ohlinscoilovers.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fthemes%2Fohlins%2Fimages%2Frt_dfv_fig3.jpg&hash=e648b82af40e18048797ca55dd65a6ef1e53445a)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ohlinscoilovers.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fthemes%2Fohlins%2Fimages%2Frt_dfv_fig4.jpg&hash=523c68984871018844006ac7a7b1959804a55ec7)
2) Inverted 'upside down' damper design. Not a new design. Both Bilstein and Ohlins have used this design for decades. So what's good about it? Strength in short. When you drive into a corner hard or hit harsh bumps, you'd be surprised how much regular dampers bend. They are essentially another control arm. The stronger, the better. You really can feel the benefits of this design. I'll let these images from Tein's website do the talking.
(https://www.tein.co.jp/e/special/inverted/img/zu_05.jpg)
(https://www.tein.co.jp/e/special/inverted/img/zu_01.jpg)
(https://www.tein.co.jp/e/special/inverted/img/img_09.jpg)
3) Build quality. I've been fortunate enough to have tried numerous sets of coilovers and regular struts over the years, from assorted brands, but Ohlins and KW are the best I've personally experienced. The look and feel, the engineering precision and the consistency of production are all there with the Ohlins, which is very reassuring. Exactly what you want to see given the chunky investment. It just looks the part. No nonsense and no flashy marketing frippery. They just shout 'bring on the B roads and the track please'.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36153958563_7fc2b9b4c7_b.jpg)
4) Installation. Ohlins ship the coilovers with preset ride height and spring preload that they feel is optimal for the application. It makes for much a much easier installation with no guess work and no tweaking of the C spanners for days afterwards. Installation was dead easy and ready to hit the streets in 4 hours for a handy DIYer.
5) Development. Ohlins spend a minimum of 6 months development work on each R&T kit, and it shows. Most of their competitors simply take X damper length with X spring rates and bash them out the door in days/weeks, hence the vast fitment range compared to Ohlins' 20 or so car range. Sounds insignificant and 'what ever' on the face of it, but this stuff matters when you've been through numerous suspension kits and can't quite find the sweet spot.
Anyway, onto the unboxing, installation and review!
You get quite a comprehensive bunch o' bits which is extremely well packaged, in 2 boxes, not 1 :smiley:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36962704085_7361d82307_b.jpg)
Made in Japan, which is no bad thing. I'm guessing because Yamaha have a share in Ohlins and have the production facilities to already in place, rather than Ohlins having to sort that themselves, which is expensive.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4346/36962704575_b4b704b407_b.jpg)
A noticeable weight saving vs a regular strut. OEM 8P RS3 top mounts & Audi/Polo 6N bearings used.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4362/36795794356_6f90c31683_b.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4429/36812311912_29993579dc_b.jpg)
There are numerous guides for installing struts onto MK5s online, but suffice to say it was dead easy. Remember to buy in new TTY (torque to yield) bolts in preparation :happy2: One piece of advice if you have alloy front hubs, don't whack it with a hammer to detach the tie rod end, buy a proper BJ separator.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/36812311202_086fd90f0e_b.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/36795791336_6a8462a9a4_b.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4401/36147860694_d0437b2e4c_b.jpg)
Adjustments and setup.
No adjustments required for the ride height because as already mentioned, it comes preset to -20mm. Just enough preload to take up the slack when the car is off the ground, and that's it. You don't want too much preload as it can mess up the handling and ride quality. You can go up +15mm and -7mm if so desired. These are not coilovers for slamming I'm afraid. The dampers are shipped 7 clicks open (from fully closed, max stiffness). I wound them out to 10 clicks open front, 10 clicks open rear. Adjustment range is 20 clicks. 20 being fully soft and flacid.
Default ride height.
Absolutley spot on for my tastes and the fuel tank is full in this pic. Uniform arch gaps all round, plenty of belly clearance and and plenty of damper travel. Exactly what you need for handling :happy2:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/36293152503_06874cf960_b.jpg)
So then, what are they like?
In short, epic! With the 10 clicks open settings, the feel of the car is very firm and very glue to the road. Steering self centering improves, turn-in is sharp and the cornering is very flat (standard ARBs on my car). Body control over undulating, varying cambered and rough B roads is incredible. The damping speed is very fast and tight. The closest thing I've felt to this is a Porsche 911, but minus the front end bobbing up and down, for those of you familiar with 911s. Absolutely nailed down and the shape of the road is fed back to the driver like brail. Probably the most remarkable thing is minor surface lumps and bumps are filtered out and barely felt in the cabin. All of the silly little obstacles that had the OEM setup twitching and fiddling about unnecessarily. Bigger bumps and compressions are very noticeable like they are with other suspensions, but the car does not flinch or veer off course. The steering wheel remains resolutely on target and twitch free. It's actually quite surreal for a Golf to feel like this. This setup is by far the best suspension I have ever tried in 27 years of VW modifying. Finally, you can have your cake, cut a bloody big slice and eat it :smiley:
Ohlins are not miracle workers. If your local roads are diabolical, then don't expect this kit to turn the surface of the moon into a billiard table. You will certainly feel it more than the OEM suspension, but in a way which is far more controlled and planted. You can cover ground way faster and with less drama, going into corners way faster and flatter than you thought possible in a humble little Golf.
Hmmm, sounds intriguing, but the most important question, how much?
£2,200, or thereabouts. Come again?? :surprised: You seriously think that is good value??! If you love your Golf and derive pleasure from fast road and track driving, then absolutely it's good value. If anything puts a smile on your face then it's worth every penny. Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten - to quote Rolls Royce, and its very true.
On this car I've come from OEM and RacingLine suspensions. Both have their merits but this setup is seriously next level. It's not for everyone and 90% won't entertain the price, but if you're in it for the long game, you can do a lot worse :happy2:
Post by: AJP on September 08, 2017, 07:50:21 pm
Feel free to add a follow up in a few months, let us know if they're still doing the biz. I fully expect that to be the case.
Post by: pudding on September 08, 2017, 10:39:44 pm
I will definitely update the thread as the miles pile on. I try to provide a lot of context so people know what to expect if they were to follow the same path :happy2:
Post by: rich83 on September 09, 2017, 12:04:46 am
Rich
Post by: MIJ_JAGGER on September 09, 2017, 12:42:24 pm
Post by: pudding on September 09, 2017, 05:17:08 pm
Haha, my missus saw them on my screen and nearly fainted :grin: She gets it's my hobby though and so long as the bills are paid, she leaves me to it :happy2:
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on September 27, 2017, 06:31:56 pm
Post by: pudding on October 06, 2017, 10:20:22 am
Post by: flashp on October 29, 2017, 06:50:44 pm
Post by: flashp on October 29, 2017, 06:54:56 pm
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,114145.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,114145.0.html)
Post by: pudding on October 30, 2017, 10:45:58 am
The boss who wears the skirts would kill me if she didn't get her new carpet!
Post by: MIJ_JAGGER on November 10, 2017, 10:06:13 am
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171110/e61f333c32bb0532a8f2a6b331b55b27.jpg)
Post by: Shoduchi on November 10, 2017, 11:35:22 am
Keep us posted with your thoughts. :drinking:
Post by: pudding on November 10, 2017, 06:04:02 pm
Thanks @Shoduchi (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=10590) I think I've put about 1500 miles on them now. In common with most stiff coilovers, I'm noticing more interior rattles now, and even wobblier Xenons than ever before :grin: All part of the modifying game unfortunately.
Now that winter is here and my PS4s are down to 3mm, the tyres feel like concrete, so I've backed the damping off a click and dropped the pressures to 32psi front and 31psi rear which has helped a lot. I really need some new rubber. They are bloody awful at the moment. Tramlining badly and not much grip. Performance tyres seem to go off very quickly past half worn.
Still loving the suspension kit though. The ride height hasn't settled at either end, so no adjustments needed :happy2: I've never had coilovers before where you literally take them out of the box and throw them on. I like that :smiley: Knackered tyres aside, road feel and cornering grip are still epic :happy2:
Post by: teo_parvu on December 12, 2017, 02:59:23 pm
I was thinking of them too but since mine has become a track-toy and I don't care of any noise, rattle, vibration, I choose AST with hard spring rates. But this kit is pure quality,
Now this car deserves that summer project (DSG Conversion) if you can get a good, low mileage one. :jumping:
Post by: pudding on December 15, 2017, 04:45:30 pm
Yeah DSG..... I think I need to do it. I'm getting bored of changing gears myself!
Post by: teo_parvu on December 15, 2017, 06:04:45 pm
Unfortunately u cannot hire someone to change gears, you need a DSG to do that for you. I'll be happy to assist when that moment comes.
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on March 18, 2018, 05:56:15 pm
Post by: pudding on March 19, 2018, 09:21:41 am
Thinking of getting some for the M3? :laugh:
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on March 19, 2018, 10:20:28 am
Post by: pudding on March 20, 2018, 01:39:41 pm
I think this is fate trying to stop you from making a mistake :grin:
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on March 21, 2018, 03:16:54 pm
Post by: willni on March 29, 2018, 08:24:33 pm
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
Post by: Shoduchi on March 29, 2018, 09:16:15 pm
@Pudding
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
The DCC KW won't electrically raise, they're adjustable with your smartphone to at least Comfort, Normal and Sport modes.
Post by: willni on March 29, 2018, 09:23:24 pm
@Pudding
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
The DCC KW won't electrically raise, they're adjustable with your smartphone to at least Comfort, Normal and Sport modes.
Ah right so it changes the dampening like the click in the Ohlins instead of raising up and down like say Land Rovers Off-road spring and air suspension
Post by: Shoduchi on March 30, 2018, 10:52:48 am
@Pudding
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
The DCC KW won't electrically raise, they're adjustable with your smartphone to at least Comfort, Normal and Sport modes.
Ah right so it changes the dampening like the click in the Ohlins instead of raising up and down like say Land Rovers Off-road spring and air suspension
Yes, that's it. If you have the money and want a car with different dampening rates, it's a great option. Bilstein has that system too available. Don't know the prices but won't be cheap.
Post by: pudding on March 31, 2018, 03:36:21 pm
@Pudding
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
I did see those but my own preference is simplicity. Simple = reliable. Simple = consistent and predictable :happy2:
You tend to find with adjustable suspension that you find a setting you like, and leave it there. With that in mind, I didn't feel the extra expense and complexity of DDC was justified.
KW's corrosion protection is unbeatable because - stainless steel, but that comes at a price and weight penalty. Whilst I like their construction quality, I don't like the plastic spring perches or their soft damping. When I had V3s, I ended up running the dampers at full rebound and it was still too bouncy for my tastes.
They are also not inverted monotubes, which if you are hard driver, you naturally gravitate towards for their superior rigidity and consistency when cornering hard.
I can't commend the Ohlins enough. Firmer spring rates than Bilstein PSS16, and you can feel that in the corners....and the damping consistency and body control is just unbelievable at this price point. To better these and the Bilsteins, you'd need to spend £3-4K on AST 3 ways.
Post by: willni on March 31, 2018, 05:14:15 pm
@Pudding
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
I did see those but my own preference is simplicity. Simple = reliable. Simple = consistent and predictable :happy2:
You tend to find with adjustable suspension that you find a setting you like, and leave it there. With that in mind, I didn't feel the extra expense and complexity of DDC was justified.
KW's corrosion protection is unbeatable because - stainless steel, but that comes at a price and weight penalty. Whilst I like their construction quality, I don't like the plastic spring perches or their soft damping. When I had V3s, I ended up running the dampers at full rebound and it was still too bouncy for my tastes.
They are also not inverted monotubes, which if you are hard driver, you naturally gravitate towards for their superior rigidity and consistency when cornering hard.
I can't commend the Ohlins enough. Firmer spring rates than Bilstein PSS16, and you can feel that in the corners....and the damping consistency and body control is just unbelievable at this price point. To better these and the Bilsteins, you'd need to spend £3-4K on AST 3 ways.
Then the question must be asked...when are the AST’s being delivered?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: pudding on March 31, 2018, 05:29:40 pm
@Pudding
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
I did see those but my own preference is simplicity. Simple = reliable. Simple = consistent and predictable :happy2:
You tend to find with adjustable suspension that you find a setting you like, and leave it there. With that in mind, I didn't feel the extra expense and complexity of DDC was justified.
KW's corrosion protection is unbeatable because - stainless steel, but that comes at a price and weight penalty. Whilst I like their construction quality, I don't like the plastic spring perches or their soft damping. When I had V3s, I ended up running the dampers at full rebound and it was still too bouncy for my tastes.
They are also not inverted monotubes, which if you are hard driver, you naturally gravitate towards for their superior rigidity and consistency when cornering hard.
I can't commend the Ohlins enough. Firmer spring rates than Bilstein PSS16, and you can feel that in the corners....and the damping consistency and body control is just unbelievable at this price point. To better these and the Bilsteins, you'd need to spend £3-4K on AST 3 ways.
Then the question must be asked...when are the AST’s being delivered?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Don't tempt me :grin: As it happens, the Racingline coilovers are made by AST. Aluminium struts, lovely stuff :happy2:
I'm happy with the Ohlins, great bit of kit for the money :smiley: I can't remember which area of Ireland you live in, but the roads in Southern Ireland (around Cork especially!) are comically bad, so any suspension kit that can deal with that is a good one :grin: Fab5freddy has Ohlins and he's in Ireland, so I wonder how it copes with the rough roads!
Post by: teo_parvu on March 31, 2018, 05:35:50 pm
Post by: willni on March 31, 2018, 05:40:58 pm
@Pudding
Just wondering, since you highly rate both Ohlins and KW, did you consider the KW DDC Coilovers? which electrically lower and raise like the new ACC Volkswagen suspensions and other makers. Especially when they're in a similar price scale.
I did see those but my own preference is simplicity. Simple = reliable. Simple = consistent and predictable :happy2:
You tend to find with adjustable suspension that you find a setting you like, and leave it there. With that in mind, I didn't feel the extra expense and complexity of DDC was justified.
KW's corrosion protection is unbeatable because - stainless steel, but that comes at a price and weight penalty. Whilst I like their construction quality, I don't like the plastic spring perches or their soft damping. When I had V3s, I ended up running the dampers at full rebound and it was still too bouncy for my tastes.
They are also not inverted monotubes, which if you are hard driver, you naturally gravitate towards for their superior rigidity and consistency when cornering hard.
I can't commend the Ohlins enough. Firmer spring rates than Bilstein PSS16, and you can feel that in the corners....and the damping consistency and body control is just unbelievable at this price point. To better these and the Bilsteins, you'd need to spend £3-4K on AST 3 ways.
Then the question must be asked...when are the AST’s being delivered?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Don't tempt me :grin: As it happens, the Racingline coilovers are made by AST. Aluminium struts, lovely stuff :happy2:
I'm happy with the Ohlins, great bit of kit for the money :smiley: I can't remember which area of Ireland you live in, but the roads in Southern Ireland (around Cork especially!) are comically bad, so any suspension kit that can deal with that is a good one :grin: Fab5freddy has Ohlins and he's in Ireland, so I wonder how it copes with the rough roads!
Northern Ireland so arguably our roads are better, but once you go 20-30 miles out they’re just as bad, especially with no one fixing them at the minute.
Think I’ll opt for some sort of racingline as the roads are that bad lately I ended up doing 15 in a 30 mph on the OEM set up
Post by: pudding on March 31, 2018, 06:05:40 pm
I will make a review of AST 5300 when I'll test them on the track, but I believe these are too low and too hard for everyday use.
I look forward to that! They look great :happy2:
Post by: fab5freddy on May 11, 2018, 09:23:14 am
I’ll be breaking my car over the next few weeks due to fatal engine damage :sad1:
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on May 11, 2018, 01:05:27 pm
As mine are coming off ..... covered a massive 100 miles !! :ashamed:
Post by: fab5freddy on May 11, 2018, 03:20:00 pm
That means their will be 2 sets available soon then :laugh:
As mine are coming off ..... covered a massive 100 miles !! :ashamed:
:grin: Jesus that didn't last long :confused:
And there was me thinking these were rare :signLOL:
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on May 11, 2018, 04:56:07 pm
That means their will be 2 sets available soon then :laugh:
As mine are coming off ..... covered a massive 100 miles !! :ashamed:
:grin: Jesus that didn't last long :confused:
And there was me thinking these were rare :signLOL:
Those 100 miles will probably cost me £400-500 ! I’m an idiot :stupid:
Post by: fab5freddy on May 11, 2018, 06:08:05 pm
That means their will be 2 sets available soon then :laugh:
As mine are coming off ..... covered a massive 100 miles !! :ashamed:
:grin: Jesus that didn't last long :confused:
And there was me thinking these were rare :signLOL:
Those 100 miles will probably cost me £400-500 ! I’m an idiot :stupid:
How come you're parting ways so soon? You could barely have got a feel for them in that time...
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on May 11, 2018, 06:10:58 pm
That means their will be 2 sets available soon then :laugh:
As mine are coming off ..... covered a massive 100 miles !! :ashamed:
:grin: Jesus that didn't last long :confused:
And there was me thinking these were rare :signLOL:
Those 100 miles will probably cost me £400-500 ! I’m an idiot :stupid:
How come you're parting ways so soon? You could barely have got a feel for them in that time...
I’ve come from 400bhp+ rear wheel drive stuff .... bought the golf to try to be sensible /cheap ... then started play with it ... soon came to the the realisation it’s not going to be the car I want it to be . Someone’s going to get a bargain with them and the car for that matter
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on May 11, 2018, 06:13:14 pm
Post by: fab5freddy on May 11, 2018, 06:55:13 pm
That means their will be 2 sets available soon then :laugh:
As mine are coming off ..... covered a massive 100 miles !! :ashamed:
:grin: Jesus that didn't last long :confused:
And there was me thinking these were rare :signLOL:
Those 100 miles will probably cost me £400-500 ! I’m an idiot :stupid:
How come you're parting ways so soon? You could barely have got a feel for them in that time...
I’ve come from 400bhp+ rear wheel drive stuff .... bought the golf to try to be sensible /cheap ... then started play with it ... soon came to the the realisation it’s not going to be the car I want it to be . Someone’s going to get a bargain with them and the car for that matter
Yeah, always going to be hard to compare there. Great cars, but very quickly turn into money pits :grin:
Post by: pudding on May 12, 2018, 01:21:25 am
They are VERY rare on the MK5 platform.....simply because not many folk are prepared to sink 25% of a 10K MK5's value in suspension :stupid: :grin: But something worthy of consideration is Ohlins don't make suspension for any old crap car, only the platforms that deserve their attention. All manner of suspension makers produce kits for every car under the sun, but not Ohlins. They don't do them for the iconic MK1....or the MK2, or even the superb handling Corrado, or the MK3 or soggy MK4.....only the MK5/6 and 7.
I can't speak on behalf of Freddy or Josh, but certainly on my local roads, there are zero compromises with this kit. Better than OEM ride quality, and better than OEM handling - assuming like for like, i.e. stock ARBs. Win win. Just get them bought people :love:
TTRS - don't do it Josh, seriously. One trick ponies. You will get bored of it very quickly. You are a RWD man, so don't sell yourself short. Stick to what you know and love :happy2:
Post by: Bodyboarder81 on May 12, 2018, 09:53:29 am
TTRS appeals kev because every time it’s good weather and I want to have a proper drive I use the S2k .... the TT would be just for going to the gym , kids to school every now and then , and enjoy the excitement of a proper quick car every now and then . Seems to fit ... not test driven one yet though .
Post by: absolute on April 08, 2019, 09:26:10 pm
Do you think that for the extra +£1300 you're feeling the benefit of this over the Racing line kit?
Post by: pudding on April 09, 2019, 11:24:37 am
They sorted 2 significant shortcomings of the Racingline kit, so the investment was definitely worth it for me. I can't see anybody else spending that much on coilovers though :grin:
It's impossible to make an informed decision these days because there's too much choice. You have to take a gamble. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't! If it doesn't, shift it on and try something else :happy2:
Post by: absolute on April 09, 2019, 11:31:28 am
I think i'll go with the Racingline kit, based on price and the upgrade from old OEM suspension.
Post by: colesey on April 09, 2019, 02:20:07 pm
One of the things about Racingline which few mention is how it makes the front end more pointy, possibly due to the extra rake. Adding some upgraded arbs and superpro balljoints for both extra camber and to correct the lowered roll centre have also both been very worthwhile.
Were I looking for a suspension set up between these two in price, I would have both Relentless and Sachs coilovers on my short list. At the upper extreme, the Racingline Tracksport based on AST5200 looks like pretty decent value given it comes with adjustable top mounts and drop links.
Post by: pudding on April 12, 2019, 06:14:54 pm
Post by: Sonic on November 19, 2023, 12:44:57 pm
At the end of the day, no coilovers can magic up more grip than 225 tyres are capable of, so it's purely a feel thing. If the coilovers you choose feel good and don't shake your teeth out, then you've made the right choice.Hi! I am new member and joined specifically for this topic,
I am also interested in buying these coilovers but I noticed that you sold them. Was it a quality issue? I am between them, KW street comfort and the racing line as a cheap option. Does it worth the investment?
Thanks in advance!
Post by: pudding on November 20, 2023, 02:44:13 pm